Just like the 1995 World Cup Final, no tries were scored and the match was close throughout. But also, as in 1995 a mere 15 points proved enough.

Defending champions England got off to a poor start and, despite showing some enterprise on attack, were unable to find away through the Springboks defence. The hero of the 2003 final, Jonny Wilkinson, kept England in the game with his tactical kicking but got few chances to score points, missing two low-percentage drop goals.

The South African forward pack showed little regard for their bodies, throwing themselves into every breakdown with reckless abandon in an attempt to win the battle up front, which many thought would decide the game. But it was the desperate Springbok defence which made the difference by bending without breaking on many occasions.

'The Springboks deserved to win the game on the strength of their defence and execution of the game plan'

The first-half scoring was opened by the boot of South Africa's Percy Montgomery after just seven minutes, but England replied quickly with a Wilkinson penalty. When Monty restored the Springboks' lead in the 16th minute England were unable to answer, Wilkinson missing a snap drop-goal attempt.

The best attacking chance of the first half went to South Africa when No.8 Danie Rossouw drove the ball from the base of an attacking scrum, but was stopped centimetres short of the line. However the attack did lead to another Montgomery penalty goal and saw the Springboks head into the break with a 9-3 lead.

The turning point in the match came early in the second half when England centre Mathew Tait broke the line with a stunning run and set up winger Mark Cueto for what looked like the opening try of the game. After a long deliberation, TV match official Stuart Dickinson ruled that Cueto's foot had brushed the touchline a moment before he grounded the ball.